http://news.unchealthcare.org/news/2015/february/another-breastfeeding-benefit-preparing-baby2019s-belly-for-solid-food
Summary of article: Researchers have discovered that the gut microbiome plays a major role in helping us digest food and fight pathogens. Specifically, a baby’s diet during the first few months of life has a profound influence on the composition, diversity, and stability of the gut microbiome. These factors, in turn, influence the baby’s ability to transition from milk to solid foods and may have long-term health effects. The study revealed that during the first few months of life, there were clear differences between the microbiomes of babies that were exclusively breastfed as compared to those fed both formula and breast milk. This finding is consistent with previous studies. “Although microbiome research is still in its early stages, gut microbes are thought to potentially play a role in obesity, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome.”
Leave a Reply